‘Give me a helping hand in my endeavour to lead a normal life’, says ‘Capt.’ Kamal Gogoi, key aide to dreaded Paresh Baruah, ULFA c-in-c.

But did he leave his boss. What is the provocation?

This one –time resident of Naoghuli (North Lakhimpur district), who has three alias - Bhaiti Gogoi, Bablu Sharma, and Nazrul Islam – is reluctant to speak. But once he does, there is no stopping him either.

“I was young when I joined the ULFA in 1985. I knew very little about life outside my home. Like all youth idealism guided me”.

“Megha Phukan, who joined ULFA, encouraged me to follow his example. One I joined, I was taken to the GHQ of NSCN in Rokhu Basti, Myanmar. That was in October 1985”.

He offers two main reasons for his surrender. Hardships at the camps, lack of ration and medicines (as border has been sealed) prompted the step. The cadres, he said, are unhappy with the lavish lifestyle of our leaders and reduced help from the Bhutanese.

Gogoi sensed that he might be tactfully captured by his fellow mates as no one trusted each other in the group anymore.

He went on to say: “Financially, we have to face much hardship. The money that comes in is not utilised in full on the camp. Only half is earmarked for the camp and is divided rather unequally amongst the camp cadres. The remaining fifty per cent is accounted for by the leadership”.

Gogoi said there were occasion when he had just one meal a day.

What about his arms training?

Gogoi said he received training in handling weapons for six months in Myanmar.  The Kachin Independence Army imparted the training. He also was sent to Afghanistan. There he got another two months training.

Over time he became a personal secretary to Paresh Baruah.

What are his plans for the future?

Right now his immediate priority is a job. “I have to make a living, You see.”

He wants the Assam Government and the Army to help him in returning to normal life.

What about peace negotiations…?

“The ball is in the Government Court. It is also up to ULFA leadership. There is no unity at the top. It is a problem”

Gogoi will be spending some time at a rehabilitation Centre and will get counseling for a
while. Next stage will see him undergoing training in a vocation of his liking.
                    
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